Rain makes Ireland feel at home

Ireland trained in heavy rain in Australia today, for the first time since a downpour during a session in Perth last June as they prepared to face the World Cup hosts on their Summer Tour.

The Ireland squad arrived in Australia today and caused a 5am wake up call in the international arrivals hall at Sydney Airport.

The red-eyed 30 man squad, accompanied by a 16-strong management team, could hardly credit the stir they created as six TV camera crews, journalists and around 100 green jersey-clad fans were on dawn patrol to greet them on arrival.

Organisers whisked them through immigration as travelling 13,000 miles in 30 hours began to take its toll.

“What do you think of Ireland being placed third ahead of Australia in the new World Rankings?” was the first question asked to Keith Wood.

“We’re there because we won 15 of our last 17 matches and you can’t argue with that,” retorted the Co Clare native.

The team eventually boarded a bus to base camp - the quiet sea-side resort of Terrigal, about 90 minutes north of Sydney, where the plush Crown Plaza Hotel will be home for the next three weeks.

Ireland launch their World Cup bid against Romania in neighbouring Gosford on October 11 and against Namibia in Sydney on October 19.

Ireland team doctor, Gary O’Driscoll – a son of the former Ireland full back Barry – ordered a rest for the squad after breakfast.

The squad then went to the local Central Coast Grammar School for a light work out under the direction of fitness coach Mike McGur